Dean Hurlston warns candidates of the Rainbow Pledge’s divisive impact.
As local council elections approach in Wyndham City, the Rainbow Local Government (RLG) Pledge has reignited debate. The RLG, spearheaded by the Victorian Pride Lobby, aims to push for greater representation and support for the LGBTQIA+ community within local councils. Candidates are asked to pledge their commitment to a series of actions, including the creation of LGBTQIA+ advisory committees, the development of action plans, and the public display of rainbow symbols.
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However, Dean Hurlston, President of Council Watch and an openly gay man, has raised serious concerns about the Pledge’s implications for candidates and the community at large. Hurlston, who has long advocated for equality, is critical of the Pledge, describing it as a tool that forces compliance rather than fostering genuine support. “In political terms, the Rainbow Local Government is simply a TROJAN HORSE,” he stated. “It’s presented as a great initiative, but ultimately used to force, demand, abuse, or coercively control instead.”
What the RLG Pledge Asks
The RLG campaign asks candidates to make several key commitments, including:
1. Promoting equality and human rights for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
2. Ensuring LGBTQIA+ community members are consulted and heard in council decisions.
Candidates are also required to answer personal questions about their gender, sexuality, and whether they identify as transgender or intersex. Hurlston, while supporting LGBTQIA+ visibility, questioned the necessity of disclosing such intimate information. “This kind of information is not something that anyone should be requested to divulge in running for local council elections, or that should be displayed on a website for anyone to see,” he said.
Is the Pledge Necessary?
While the Pledge’s aims may seem aligned with broader efforts toward equality, critics argue that councils in Victoria, including Wyndham City, are already bound by strict legal frameworks that protect LGBTQIA+ individuals. The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 mandates that councils act without discrimination and ensure services are accessible to all members of the community. Furthermore, the Sex Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination based on gender, sexuality, or intersex status.
Hurlston questions the necessity of the Pledge, stating, “What discrimination in council-run services is it addressing? There is zero evidence in councils of discrimination towards the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Potential Consequences for Candidates
One of the most contentious aspects of the RLG Pledge is the way it treats candidates who refuse to sign. The RLG website publicly labels candidates based on their level of commitment, with those who do not fully pledge potentially receiving negative banners that could harm their public image. Hurlston described this practice as harmful, stating, “Demonising you without a right of reply, permanently on a public website, is unfair.”
Hurlston, who has faced his own challenges as an openly gay man in politics, added that while LGBTQIA+ candidates are given special recognition on the RLG website, this approach risks creating division. “It’s not about who you are or who you love, it’s about ensuring everyone is treated fairly, and this Pledge doesn’t seem to do that,” he said.
Impact on Good Governance
A central concern for Hurlston is the effect that pledges like the RLG’s may have on councillors’ ability to govern fairly and impartially. He emphasised that councillors are elected to serve the entire community, not just one group. “Councillors once elected will be required to make an oath of affirmation or office to undertake the duties of Councillor in the best interest of the (whole) municipal community. Not part. Not some. Not LGBTQIA+ more than others. Just everyone,” he explained.
Moving Forward in Wyndham City
As the debate around the RLG Pledge continues, candidates and voters in Wyndham City are left to weigh its impact on governance, inclusivity, and equality. Hurlston’s advice to candidates is clear: “Council Watch strongly recommends that candidates do not sign the Pledge from Rainbow Local Government entirely, in the pursuit of GOOD GOVERNANCE.”
Hurlston’s perspective is not a rejection of LGBTQIA+ rights—far from it, as an openly gay man, he has long championed equality. Rather, his concern lies in ensuring that governance remains fair, inclusive, and free from coercion. In Wyndham City, where voters expect transparency, accountability, and fair representation, the conversation around the RLG Pledge has become a key issue in the lead-up to the elections.
